The mountain shelters of Nahuel huapi National Park were built after the area was explored. The discovery of peaks and lakes in incredibly beautiful places motivated the pioneers to build primitive shelters to proetct them from the rough weather. As time went by, and people became more and more interested in outdoor activities in a natural environment, the shelters improved until they became a network of mountain shelters. The quality and the service have also improved and nowadays these shelters have modern ways of communication and high quality standards, which in some cases mean hot water showers for the hikers. Undoubtedly, their most attractive feature is their location, and the surrounding landscape, allowing a greater number of people to enjoy these places without causing an impact in the environment.

The network of shelters is formed basically by Frey, Jakob, Black Lake and Meiling shelters, they all have a keeper and are open practically all year round. These can only be reached through hiking trails. There are also a series of "vivac" shelters, without keeper such as Papá Manuel, El Velco, Lake CAB, Tronador and Horrible Village. There is another category in which Lopez, Chall-Huaco and Berghof shelters fit in, they can be reached by car and are also an appealing tour for a different kind of public.

Frey Shelter:
The Emilio Frey shelter is located at the foot of Frey "needle", surrounded by "towers" and high peaks and on the shore of Lake Toncek´s green and cold waters, at 1700mts above sea level. Frey shelter works as a base camp for one of the best climbing spots in the area. In its surrounding "towers" there are thousands of climbing routes and every Summer, fans of this extreme sport can be seen climbing the steep walls. Frey shelter area is also the starting point for a series of "high treks", being its most frecuent destination Rucaco Valley and Lake Jakob.

San Martin Shelter (Lake Jakob):
It is located on the left bank of Lake Jakob, at 1600 mts. above sea level. Its real name is General San Martin, there is a lake nearby with icebergs floating in it until the beginning of the Summer, called Iceberg Lake. The starting point of the trail to the shelter is at the "Tambo" located near Casa de Piedra Stream, it is approximately a 5 hour trek.

Refugio Manfredo Segré:
This Club Andino Bariloche shelter, opened during the 1969/70 season, it can hold 60 people and in Summer it is run by Guillermo Gonzalez. Between the seasons 2000-2001 modern restrooms were built in order to improve the quality of the stay. It is located on the shore of Black Lake and at the foot of Black Mount, at 1650 mts. above sea level. Its surrounding area is a real knot of mountains of dark coloured rocks, (this is why it gets that name) which is the starting point of several treks to other shelters and rock climbing routes along its "walls". The Black Lake area is the starting point of one of the most interesting treks in this region, the trek that joins "Colonia Suiza" with "Pampa Linda" and which goes along the Andes, during a three or four day journey through totally unreachable places.

Otto Meiling Shelter:
The Otto Meiling Shelter is located on the slopes of Mount Tronador between "Castaño Overa" and "Alerce" Glaciars at 2000mts. above sea level. The name of this shelter was chosen in honour to one of the major explorers of Nahuel Huapi National Park, and probably the one who trekked more mountains, valleys and lakes for the first time. The view from this shelter is one of the broadest and most beautiful : "Pampa Linda", The Clouds´ Pass Valley, Mounts: Lopez, "Bonete", "Righi", Cathedral and many others. Ski can be practiced on its slopes all year round, especially in Summer. There are many trekking routes from this shelter. They all need advice and special equipment because it is surrounded by glaciars. Short treks through the ice can be hired at the shelter, as well as climbs to the highest peaks in the National Park.